Brookline’s Raul Fernandez Slams House Economic Recovery Bill

BROOKLINE, MA — Former Brookline Select Board Vice-Chair and current State Representative candidate Raul Fernandez has slammed the economic recovery bill considered Wednesday afternoon in the House of Representatives.

Budget Amendment #813, which would have removed a $38,000 income floor on a one-time tax rebate, was rejected without a recorded vote.

“The decision to spend our budget surplus on a one-time payment that excludes our most underpaid residents and people on fixed incomes and fails to address gaping funding holes in critical public services was backward, shortsighted, and callous,” Fernandez said in a statement. "The fact that an amendment to right that injustice was rejected through an unrecorded, undemocratic voice vote only underscores how shameful of a policy decision this is.”

The House also considered, and rejected without a recorded vote, an amendment that would have reduced the size of proposed tax cuts to large estates.

"Even more shameful is that this decision is paired with a $207 million tax cut for 2,500 incredibly wealthy households,” Fernandez continued. "In a state with as much glaring inequality as Massachusetts, our legislature should be doing everything it can to uplift our most underpaid residents. Instead, it’s chosen to reward the wealthiest among us.”

Fernandez is challenging incumbent Rep. Vitolo to represent Brookline's 15th Norfolk District. For more information on his campaign, click here.